Rereading and interpreting the ideas of leading Muslim thinkers
Faezeh Hajihosseini; Mustafa Zali
Abstract
In Farabi’s philosophical framework, theoretical virtue constitutes the foundation of the four cardinal virtues, with moral virtue occupying a central role. However, acquiring moral virtues depends on human agency, as actions performed unintentionally are not considered virtuous. Moreover, the ...
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In Farabi’s philosophical framework, theoretical virtue constitutes the foundation of the four cardinal virtues, with moral virtue occupying a central role. However, acquiring moral virtues depends on human agency, as actions performed unintentionally are not considered virtuous. Moreover, the attainment of primary intellectual principles necessary for theoretical virtue is not universally within human control. Consequently, achieving virtue appears inaccessible to all individuals.Using a descriptive-analytical method, this study examines the different types of virtue in Farabi’s philosophy, highlighting the foundational role of theoretical virtue and exploring whether moral virtue can be attained despite its dependence on theoretical virtue and the involuntary nature of acquiring its principles. The analysis focuses on innate disposition (fitra) and the Active Intellect as key obstacles to universal virtue. Natural differences in innate disposition and in individuals’ capacities to engage with the Active Intellect indicate that virtue cannot be achieved solely through personal effort. To address these limitations, Farabi proposes a political solution: the establishment of a virtuous city governed by a ruler of high theoretical and practical virtue. Through education, training, and legislation, the ruler can guide citizens toward moral virtue. Education transmits theoretical concepts via persuasive and imaginative discourse, while training cultivates virtuous behavior through practice and reinforcement. This civic and political framework enables the attainment of moral virtue and varying degrees of happiness, compensating for natural disparities among individuals without eliminating them.
Rereading and interpreting the ideas of leading Muslim thinkers
Alireza Mohseni Tabrizi; Gholamhosein Rohi; Seyed Abedin Bozorgi
Abstract
Although Farabi did not explicitly identify himself as a social psychologist, thematic analysis and interpretation of his writings and works reveal an obvious similarity and synonymy between certain of his points of view, connotations, and departure points and those found in social psychological contexts. With ...
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Although Farabi did not explicitly identify himself as a social psychologist, thematic analysis and interpretation of his writings and works reveal an obvious similarity and synonymy between certain of his points of view, connotations, and departure points and those found in social psychological contexts. With this in mind, the primary objective of this article is to unveil those concealed facets of Farabi's idea and thought that, in a social psychological sense, contrast and resemble other such ideas and thoughts. We utilized a combination of thematic analysis and technical analysis of triangulation in order to achieve this objective. The information was collected from a vast array of credible sources, including six books authored by Farabi and articles and commentary pertaining to his ideas and works. The data's validity was validated in accordance with the standards suggested by Lingen and Goba. The methodology employed for data processing and interpretation was Strauss's three-stage data coding technique. Open coding, axial coding, and selective coding established the framework for deconstructing, analyzing, conceptualizing, and classifying the data, as well as identifying the most significant themes, in accordance with this methodology. Individual themes constitute components of a thematic field in the context of thematic analysis. The thematic field comprises all data that are considered materially relevant or germane to the theme and serve as the foundation or foreground from which the theme itself emerges as the focal point. Consequently, the following ten primary themes emerged as a result of thematic analysis:Elme Madanieh (science of expected behavior);Nature of man;Collectivism vs individualism;Social nature of man and his needs for association/ cooperation;Homogeneity of society and organism;Type of communities and societies;Group impact and its role in socialization of individual;Normlessness and deviant behavior;Protective and risk factors;Leadership and characteristic of good leader.
